Endangered frog breeds at aquarium

A CRITICALLY endangered species of Madagascan frog has bred successfully for the first time at Deep Sea World, Scotland’s national aquarium.

More than 50 tiny golden mantella tadpoles have been born at the North Queensferry aquarium.

Zoologists at the aquarium are now waiting anxiously to see how many of the tadpoles, which measure less than 10mm in length, will metamorphose into froglets.

The golden mantella frog is only found in the high forests of eastern Madagascar. The frogs are confined to a fragment of forest that is surrounded by farmland and human settlements and is threatened by logging.

Deep Sea World’s zoological manager Chris Smith said: “We have been looking after a group of seven adult frogs here for the past four years and this is the first time they have bred.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and we are now talking to other captive breeding programmes around the world to try and ensure as many of the tadpoles as possible reach maturity.

“If all goes well these tadpoles should start to change into froglets in the next two months,” he added.